Page 121 of Psycho Beasts

A heady rush filled my brain until it felt like I was levitating off the ground.

It was everything.

They were at my mercy.

“Bow.”

There was a loud crack as they fell to their knees, and four foreheads touched the marble as they prostrated themselves at my feet.

“APOLOGIZE.”

“I am sorry,” they chorused with no inflection.

I frowned as they stared at me with glassy eyes. It was slightly creepy.

“APOLOGIZE WITH SINCERITY.”

“I am truly sorry.”

It still felt insincere. I sighed heavily, because as much as I was enjoying the electric life-forces pumping through my veins, I was still aware this was wrong.

“Do jumping jacks.”

I grinned as they leaped to their feet and immediately pumped out some of the most athletically impressive jumping jacks I’d ever seen.

“Stop. Now hug each other and apologize to each other.”

Four six-foot-five warriors embraced one another in a big circle. “I’m so sorry for hurting you,” they said at once.

I laughed with elation.

“Now cry as you apologize.”

They wept as they clung to one another and apologized.

“Now danc—

Aran cut me off. “Sadie. What in the moon goddess’s fucking tits are you doing? Also, did you pass the test?”

I slowly turned to her and nodded.

Her eyes widened as she took in my bloody mouth and the four warriors crying and embracing one another like zombies.

Then she threw her hands up in the air. “Fuck yeah, I knew you’d pass. I’m the best teacher ever.”

Walter stood behind her and gaped like the don himself was murdering someone in the foyer.

“Um…,” I started to explain, then pursed my lips as I struggled to describe what was going on without sounding absolutely unhinged.

Instead of coming up with a believable lie, I arched my lips into a manic smile, heady pleasure still making my head spin.

“The girls are coming. You must stop this,” Walter said with horror, his gray eyebrows quivering.

Aran sighed. “Don’t ruin it. I think this would be an excellent learning opportunity for them. A life lesson, if you will.”

Lucinda. The thought of my sister staring at me in horror was like being drenched in a bucket of cold water.

She needed someone she could look up to.

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